2026 World Cup: Algerian fans burn their flag, and women and children are verbally assaulted… the Moroccan embassy files a complaint after "serious and disgraceful incidents"

As shown in images widely shared on social media, Algerian supporters burned a Moroccan flag in the Quatre-Chemins district of Seine-Saint-Denis. In the same area, women wearing the Atlas Lions jersey, accompanied by young children, were verbally abused.

The Moroccan Embassy was not going to let this go unchallenged. As images of Algerian supporters circulated widely on social media in recent hours, the Moroccan diplomatic mission took action on Monday by filing a complaint for "insulting the flag and inciting hatred."

The events took place on Saturday evening, after Morocco's victory over Canada in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup (3-0), in the Quatre-Chemins district, straddling the municipalities of Aubervilliers and Pantin (Seine-Saint-Denis).

"Several documented and authenticated elements show the flag of the Kingdom of Morocco being torn down, burned and ripped apart in public by individuals chanting slogans indicating their Algerian origin," the Moroccan embassy detailed in a statement published Monday.

Call for calm

"Furthermore, other video documents show that women wearing the jersey of the Moroccan national football team, accompanied by young children, were victims of verbal abuse and attempts at intimidation by the same individuals," the Moroccan embassy continued.

While videos of fans seeking revenge against Algerian supporters have been circulating on social media, the Moroccan embassy concludes with a call for calm: "Sporting celebrations must remain moments of joy, unity, and mutual respect. They should under no circumstances be exploited or manipulated, or used as a pretext for insults, provocations, verbal abuse, vandalism, or hateful behavior targeting a community, a nationality, or the symbols of a state."

On Thursday, the Moroccan national team will face France in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup. The match will kick off in Foxborough, a suburb of Boston, at 10 p.m. (French time).